Gambhir’s 95 guides Delhi to Ranji semi-final

Yes, there were doubts. I didn’t know what to expect. It was very difficult because I had barely taken over (from Roelant Oltmans). We won the Asia Cup, but that was against teams ranked No 12 and above in the world, not against the Top

5-6. I was pretty curious what will hap- VIJAYAWADA: Gautam Gambhir struck a fine 95 and powered Delhi to the semi-finals of the Ranji Trophy following a sevenwicket victory over Madhya Pradesh here on Monday. Delhi will take on Bengal in their semi-final.

Chasing 217 for an outright win, Delhi relied on Gambhir’s 129-ball 95, which was laced with nine boundaries and a six. Even as the bowlers failed to dismiss him, Gambhir was run out by Mihir Hirwani as he approached what would have been a well-deserved century.

The out-of-favour India opener was well-supported by Kunal Chandela (57) and Dhruv Shorey, who remained unbeaten on 46, when the winning runs were scored at the Dr. Gokaraju Liala Gangaaraju ACA Cricket Ground.

Delhi were eight for no loss at stumps on the fourth and penulti- mate evening with Kunal Chandela and Vikas Tokas in the middle. Delhi were dealt an early blow when Tokas was sent back by medium pacer Ishwar Pandey with just 11 runs on the scoreboard.

A 98-run partnership for the second wicket between Gambhir and Chandela ensured Delhi remained on course for a win. The two went along nicely till Hirwani, who had a five- wicket haul in the first innings, removed Chandela when the scoreboard read 111.

A 95-run stand ensued, for the third wicket between Gambhir and Shorey, as Delhi completed the job with plenty left in their arsenal.

BIG VIDARBHA VICTORY

SURAT: Left-arm orthodox spinner Aditya Sarwate (6/41) claimed a six-wicket haul as Vidarbha posted a comfortable 412-run win over Kerala in their Ranji Trophy quarter-final match. Self-belief, that’s the first thing. Then it’s consistency. See, the number of unforced errors Roger Federer makes is very low. The more unforced errors we make the more chances we give our opponents. Against England in the league phase, we

Vidarbha will face Karnataka, who had defeated Mumbai by an innings and 20 runs in Nagpur on Sunday.

Resuming on 431 for six, Vidarbha declared t heir second innings on 507 for nine to set a mammoth target of 578 for Kerala.

Overnight batsman Akshay Yes, I think so. I just had two matches against Pakistan and I experienced for the first time in my life how it was. Players told me it was a normal match for them and that’s the way to see Wadkar completed his half- century, remaining unbeaten on 67 off 110 balls.

Chasing a huge total, Kerala did not get off to a good start and kept losing wickets at regular interval with Sarwate recording his best bowling figures. He took six wickets with an economy of 2.51 in 16.2 overs. I don’t know. I think this year we have played Malaysia a number of times, which is good. I don’t think it’s (playing Pakistan) necessary.

The more unforced errors we make the more chances we give our opponents. Against England in the league phase, we were not consistent and lost. It’s not about Sardar, it’s about the whole team. I’m searching for the best team, a balance between young and old, experience, senior players, etc. Teams on an average were able to enter our circle no more than 16 times; that’s a good number. In the match against Australia, they could enter only 10 times.

Salman Nizar was the lone batsman who played a responsible knock, top-scoring for Kerala with 64 off 104 balls, clobbering four boundaries and an equal number of sixes, even as other Kerala batsmen struggled to score runs.

BENGAL TAKE NO RISK

JAIPUR: Bengal made a mockery of the contest by not declaring their second innings on the final day of their quarter-final as they ousted defending champions Gujarat by virtue of the first-innings lead.

Bengal batted for the better part of last three days to finish their second innings at 695 for six when umpires were forced to call off play in the post tea session as the heavens opened up, much to the relief of the battered Gujarat bowlers.

Such was the plight of the Gujarat team that skipper Parthiv Patel did not take the field on the fourth day, complaining of cramps.